The Lost Art of Thinking
It might be weird to see a title like this one. We think all the time, often too much. Have you ever tried meditation? It can be so difficult trying not to think even for a few minutes. But, mindless thinking and not being aware of or in control of our thoughts is a topic for another day. What I’m talking about here is the idea of dedicating time in your day for the sole purpose of thinking.
Over the last few years I’ve become more and more aware of the attempts and intent of many entities to inform our thinking. In my opinion, much of the media and news that exist today tell a narrative, not objective news. Many tech companies employ psychologists to influence the use of their technology which has an impact on what we watch and consume. Algorithms serve us specific content and impacts what we see when we search the internet. Narratives and algorithims can go a long way in influencing what we actually believe. These days, so much content is convincing; the more you get fed similar information the more it can influence us.
This effect bleeds into daily life where family and friends or loved ones might also be relaying information to us. The people I love and think highly of can relay something they read or saw online and since I have respect and trust in them, I notice myself having a higher likelihood of taking on their position on the matter. Between social media, technology, traditional media, and word of mouth information from friends and family I feel as though I’ve been taking on certain beliefs (or sometimes denying them) without truly thinking about it through first. I also know that at my core I have a have a desire to connect with people and be liked which can influence and immediate agreement to statements or beliefs shared by others.
I believe this problem is exacerbated by the speed of life. Things move increasingly fast, and the same technology I mentioned above adds to distraction, mindless thinking, and falling into the trap of our beliefs being influenced by outside forces. In my opinion, things like meditation help slow things down but I also think more is needed.
Last year I read a book called Limitless by Jim Kwik. Kwik calls himself a brain coach where his work focuses on his belief that the human brain is a powerful super computer and learning device. He teaches how the brain works and the best ways to learn based on how the brain processes information. As I’ve explored his content I’ve been able to double my reading speed, have better memory, and have an improved mindset on learning in general.
One thing I’ve been practicing based on his work is simply setting aside time to think. This practice has helped me retain more information, assisted in making decisions, and given me clarity on what I truly believe on a number of topics. I also believe the practice has helped me in conversations with others in the understanding that we all think differently, we can all be have our beliefs influcnesd, and to convey my process on thinking which involves intentional thinking before agreeing with a belief or concept.
The process is not overly involved and can look something like this
Commit to setting aside some time each day (or maybe several times a week to start) strictly for thinking.
Think about something you’d like to think about. You can certainly think of something on the fly, but I’ve found it is more impactful to plan what I’m going to think about. I have a list of thinking topics I add to when they come up
Find a quiet place to think and that will reduce distractions
Leave all technology behind (phones, tablets etc). If you journal, it can be helpful to bring that along.
Think about your topic for 15 mins or so. You can do less, but another thing I’ve found is my mind doesn’t really get going with less time
Additional thoughts and tips
“Can I think about it"?” - These sessions can be perfect for situations where you’re asked how you feel about something, take on a new project at work, or are asked a question that feels tough. Don’t forget that we don’t have to answer every question right away and a thinking session can be a fantastic time to ponder these things.
Along with having a specific topic to think about, it can also help to have a goal or intention. What outcome would you hope for in the thinking process?
If you can, try to feel your body as you think about things. Try to notice what comes up and what you notice. This can help inform thoughts and potential decisions.
Ideas or additional thoughts can come up through the process, so I would once again recommend a journal or any method to capture ideas.
Thinking while walking can help stimulate the mind to help in the thinking process, just be sure to avoid distractions and try not to bring any devices with you.
When it comes to decision making, there are many methods out there that can be used to help guide you. I’ll share these in a later post but also remember this process can be helpful in much more than decision making.
Thanks for reading. I hope these suggestions inspire you to give this a try. I’ve found intentional thinking time has been incredibly helpful for me in gaining clarity on how I feel on topics and discussions that go on in my life, generating ideas, solidifying my own views and beliefs, making decisions, and more.
If you’d like to chat on this topic you can get in touch with me on Threads or email me.
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Thanks again,
~Matty
